U.S. immigration protestors drop U.S. border blockade plan

DALLAS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A plan by U.S. protesters
against illegal immigration to block traffic at more than a
dozen border crossings in the southwest on Saturday was canceled
after organizers said they received online threats from Mexican
drug cartels.

Billed as a "Shut Down All Ports Of Entry" protest against
the Obama administration's immigration policies, demonstrators
had said they would try to stop incoming and outgoing traffic at
17 locations in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

But lead organizer Stasyi Barth posted a warning on the
event's official website saying that a combination of violent
threats and "suspicious activity" on the group's Facebook page
prompted her to call off the action.

"If you attend, you are not just putting yourself in danger,
but the law enforcement officers, as well," Barth wrote.
"Risking anyone's life is not worth it!"

Another organizer, Rob Chupp, said the threats came from
Mexican drug cartels, but did not elaborate. He said that while
the protest was officially canceled, he and some others still
planned to demonstrate in Brownsville, Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement on
Friday it has been coordinating with local police departments to
respond to any situation near the ports of entry.
(Reporting by Lisa Maria Garza; Editing by Daniel Wallis and
Greg Mahlich)